Retired trooper hired as Ringgold security chief

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A divided Ringgold School Board on Tuesday hired a retired Pennsylvania state police trooper to head the district’s armed security department.

Clayton Shell, a retired trooper who worked at the state police barracks in Washington, will be paid $42,000 a year as Ringgold’s chief of security and not receive employee benefits, Ringgold Superintendent Karen Polkabla said.

The district needs to petition Washington County Court to have Shell, of Venetia, serve in the position, which should be filled by him in a month, Polkabla said.

Shell, who retired in July 2011, was hired in a 5-4 vote, with yes votes given by Mariann Bulko, Christopher Carroll, William Stein Jr., Carol Flament and Maureen Ott. Directors Charles Smith, Robert Smith, Gene Kennedy and Larry Mauro were opposed to the hiring.